Federer says Hingis helped make him a champion

Martina Hingis announced her third, and final, retirement this week in Singapore. She leaves behind an unparalleled legacy with 25 Grand Slam titles and 209 weeks at singles No. 1. With her partner Yung-jan Chan, Hingis won nine doubles crowns alone in 2017 and they will end the year as co-No. 1's.

Roger Federer, a fellow Swiss and one year younger than Hingis, spoke about how her incredible career helped him.

"Martina was partially the one who showed me how it was all done," Federer said in Basel. "It was great for Switzerland to have someone of her calibre. We were very lucky. I loved playing with her at the Hopman Cup, she was always super friendly, I love that about her."

Federer and Hingis won the Hopman Cup together back in 2001. The pair were tentatively scheduled to play mixed doubles at the Rio Olympics, but Federer ended up not playing the event.

While Federer competes in front of a home crowd in Basel, Hingis and Chan are into the semifinals in Singapore.

"I think now it’s definite. It’s different, because before I walked away thinking I might come back," Hingis said about her retirement. "After a season like this, I think it’s also perfect timing. You know, you want to stop on top and not when you’re already going backwards. I couldn’t ask for a better finish."